KaPower: The Technology Behind the Start
KAPower® — Kold-Ban’s Proprietary Energy Storage Technology
KAPower® is an asymmetrical electrochemical energy storage device — engineered specifically for engine starting applications. Like a supercapacitor, it stores and releases energy almost instantly. But KBi’s proprietary design addresses the key weaknesses of both standard supercapacitors and traditional lead-acid batteries, resulting in a starting system that is safer, more reliable, and longer-lasting than either.
Rated for 15–20 years of service life and over 1,000,000 charge cycles, KAPower® is engineered to outlast the equipment it’s installed on.
Not a Battery. Not a Standard Supercapacitor. Something Better.
Differentiator 1
DIESELMATIC® Revolution
Most supercapacitors use a symmetrical design — both electrodes are made from the same carbon material. KAPower® pairs a carbon electrode with a nickel electrode (an asymmetric design), which effectively doubles the capacitance compared to a standard symmetrical supercapacitor. The nickel electrode also adds a pseudo-capacitive behavior that boosts overall energy storage and delivery — meaning more starting power from a more compact package.
Differentiator 2
Safer Electrolyte
Standard supercapacitors use organic electrolytes that are flammable, toxic, and require hermetic sealing to prevent leakage. KAPower® uses an alkaline electrolyte (Potassium Hydroxide) instead — a safer, non-flammable solution that doesn’t require hermetic sealing and won’t produce toxic gases if exposed to heat or fire. For equipment operating in demanding environments, that’s not a minor detail.
Differentiator 3
Simpler. More Reliable. Lower Self-Discharge.
Standard supercapacitor modules require complex electronic cell-balancing circuits to keep individual cell voltages in check — without them, the risk of failure or explosion increases significantly. KAPower®’s asymmetric design eliminates the need for cell-balancing circuitry entirely. The result is a simpler, more reliable system with a significantly lower self-discharge rate. KAPower® holds its charge longer between uses, even after extended storage.
Differentiator 4
Full Power at -40°F. Batteries Can’t Say That.
Lead-acid batteries lose a significant portion of their cranking power in cold temperatures — and can fail entirely well before reaching -40°F. KAPower® operates at full power from -40°F to 149°F with zero degradation. It can crank an engine on as little as 9 volts, delivering reliable starts in conditions where a battery alone simply cannot.
HOW KAPOWER® COMPARES
| Lead-Acid Battery | Standard Supercapacitor | KAPower® | |
| Cold Weather Performance | Degrades significantly | Good | Full power to -40°F |
| Service Life | 3–5 years | 10+ years | 15–20 years |
| Charge Cycles | 300–500 | 500,000+ | 1,000,000+ |
| Maintenance Required | Yes | Minimal | None |
| Cell Balancing Circuit | N/A | Required | Not required |
| Electrolyte Safety | Acid (corrosive) | Organic (flammable) | Alkaline (KOH) — non-flammable |
| Recharge Time | Hours | Minutes | 30 seconds |
| Works with Dead Battery | No | No | Yes |
KAPower® Powers Every Kold-Ban Starting Product
KAPower® technology is the foundation of every KSM™ and BoatStartPlus™ product in the Kold-Ban lineup, from the compact KSM Kompact® for light-duty vehicles to the KSM1224 for the most demanding 24V industrial and marine applications. The same proprietary technology. The same reliability. Built for every engine size, every market, every environment.
Ready to Put KAPower® to Work?
Whether you’re outfitting a single vessel, a municipal fleet, or a job site full of equipment, there’s a KAPower®-powered solution built for your application.